10 Results of Christian Marriage

Results of Christian Marriage So we have seen that husband and wife display the unity, love, headship/submission, and perfection that we find in the relationship between Christ and the church. When a man and a woman live out these truths, when their marriage becomes what God intends it to be, what is the result? We will highlight four results.

First, the husband shows his inner character by what his wife becomes. Just as Christ’s character is displayed in the glory of the church, so a husband’s character is displayed through the person his wife becomes. Remember verse 27 of our passage? Jesus sanctifies and cleanses the church so that

He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

He presents to himself the church. A loving husband will be able to present to himself his wife in all her glory, set apart for him, perfect in her womanhood. After many years of marriage, she will be a woman at peace, a women who responds lovingly to him in every way. And it will be apparent to all that this man is a man of love.

Second, the wife shows her character by what her husband becomes.Proverbs 31:10-31 makes this clear. This section begins,

10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. The excellent wife has an impact on her husband’s life: he is at peace, trusting in her, lacking nothing. He continually benefits because of what she is.

Verses 13 to 23 detail the various types of work she does. The result is recorded in verse 24:

23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

She contributes to her husband becoming a respected elder of the people, because of who she is, because her husband is able to trust her and rely upon her. He recognizes his debt to her, and honors her above all women:

28b Her husband . . . praises her: 29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." But the praise is not limited to her husband. Others also will recognize that the husband’s success and character are due in large measure to the character of his wife:

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Third, a Christian marriage testifies to the truth and power of the gospel.

Jesus says, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you . . ." what? If you have love one for another. This is true of all Christians, but it is especially true of marriage. The truth of the gospel is manifested when those outside the church:

·See the tenderness a husband and wife have for each other after decades of marriage, ·See the mutual regard husband and wife have for each other, ·See an example of godly headship and submission, ·See the true, essential unity of Christian marriage.

Living out a Christian marriage is a tremendous witness, a tremendous testimony to the power of God, particularly in today’s culture. Martyn Lloyd-Jones put it this way: "There is no greater recommendation to the truth and power of the Christian faith than a Christian husband and wife, a Christian marriage, a Christian home."

Fourth, a Christian marriage grows over time. For many marriages, the first joyous months are the apex. Everything is downhill after that. But a truly Christian marriage will grow and grow as each partner perfects the other. We need to ask ourselves continually:

·How can I come closer to loving my wife as Christ loved church?

·How can I show respect to and honor my husband, as the church does to Christ?

·How can I build up my wife, or my husband?

Conclusion Do you want to give your husband or wife a gift? The greatest gift you could possibly give to your spouse would be to commit to living out your role as a Christian wife or a Christian husband by the power of the Spirit.

Let me emphasize those last five words: "By the power of the Spirit." Because if you are like me, you husbands are thinking that you cannot possibly love your wife like Christ loved the church. And you women are thinking that you cannot possibly submit to your husbands in everything. I assure you, all of us struggle with this. Jesus tells us to be perfect as he is perfect. And not one of us is perfect. But God has promised that His people will become perfect -- He will change us and mold us into Christlikeness. Count on that!

Satan will try to say one of two things:

"You’re doing well enough in your marriage, at least better than most others; don’t be fanatical about this -- you don’t need to change anything." But I tell you, don’t be satisfied with a marriage that is less than perfect. Examine yourself. If you are failing to live up to these ideals, confess this to God, and ask Him to change you. Or Satan might say, "It’s no use. If you could start over, maybe you could make this marriage work. But given your spouse, given all that has happened in your marriage, there is no hope." This is a pack of lies. Now, by yourselves you cannot change the habits of relating to each other you have created. "Apart from me you can do nothing." If you try to change depending on your own natural resources, you will fail. But, remember! We began this course with an overview of the truths in this great book of Ephesians:

·You ARE raised with Christ, you are seated with him in the heavenlies!

·You ARE LIGHT; You CAN walk as children of Light!

·You can be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT!

All this is true. By conscious, continual dependence on the Spirit within you, you can forgive your spouse, you can change old, negative patterns of relating to each other; you can live out the ideal Christian marriage. So let us learn to walk by the Spirit in our marriages, imitating the relationship between Christ and the church.

Husbands, love your wives.

Wives, respect and submit to your husbands.